The letter H...

Well, I've jumped on the bandwagon along with some of my fellow bloggers. My friends Becky and Sandy participated in a game where they were given a letter by another blogger and asked to tell 10 things that begin with that letter that describe them or something they love. I first was not going to do this as I thought I would not be very good at it. As I kept reading posts about this I thought it looked like fun and thought I would enjoy the challenge. I replied to Sandy's post and asked for my letter.

As I awaited her response I started a list in my head of some of my favorite things for different letters. I thought of Tennessee Vols and To-Do Lists which I LIVE by for the letter "T". I thought of "A", my nickname and Adventures, which I love and Accessories which I feel can hide a multitude of "rolls"! Ha. I thought of Children for "C" since my children are my most prized earthly possessions. I thought of Boys for "B" since I'm completely surrounded by boys--even the dog is a boy at my house! :) I thought of Football for "F" and Friendship and Family since these are some of the most fun things in life.

I have to honestly say that I had not thought of anything for the letter "H", so I was a little intimidated when Sandy gave me "H". But after a little thought I think I have my list, so here goes:

1. H is for HOME. There is no place I'd rather be than home. It is where our family laughs together, cries together, learns together, eats together, loves together, prays together and LIVES together. My home is nothing fancy. It is not large. It is not exquisite. It is not a showpiece. It is just your every day, average home but it is ours and we cherish it and the times we spend together in it!

2. H is for HEARTWARMING GESTURES from friends and family. I am so very blessed with amazing people in my life. These people in my life do so much for me. Whether looking after my kids, preparing a meal, listening when I'm down or laughing along with me they do more for me than they realize. It's the little things that make life great and these little gestures mean the world. I try to do my part in this area as well, but I fall very short. Still I strive to be a part of others' heartwarming gestures as well.

3. H is for HEAVEN. I believe it is real. I believe it is beautiful. I believe that it will be the greatest happiness we've ever known. I know that I want my friends and family there with me. I know that I want to teach my children not only how to get there but lead the way for them.

4. H is for HAMBURGERS! Who can honestly say that they don't like a good ol' hamburger?? I recently read a friends' post about a restaurant in the town where I grew up. I found out that she too shared my love for a "Wimpy" burger. While you can't eat too many of them (as my friend Steph put it--the big one clogs the arteries just to look at it!) they are a real treat and I'm convinced there's no better burger on the planet!

5. H is for HUGS. There's nothing like them. Sometimes only a hug can make everything ok. There is no better way to be greeted when walking in the door than my kids to run to me with arms wide open and wrap those tiny arms around my neck! Gets me every time! Even though boys grow up and I'm sure affections will become less and less, I pray that hugs are never abandoned at our house.

6. H is for HAND PRINTS. This one may seem odd to some of you. To many, hand prints are a nuisance. Not to me. If you come to my house you can look on nearly every window, every glass pane and find some little hand print. I don't clean them. I leave them. They are precious reminders that I have a house full of children. Children that love to play and explore with those tiny little hands. Those hand prints symbolize them experiencing and exploring this big world. I hope to always see hand prints around my house! :)

7. H is for HOTELS. I love, love, love to go on trips and stay in hotels. We don't often have the money to do this but it is something we enjoy when we get to go!

8. H is for the HUM OF THE DISHWASHER at the end of the day. This one may sound strange as well but this signifies the end of a day. I love to relax at night after I've worked all day, the kids are bathed and in bed and the house has been picked up. The dishwasher is the last chore of the day at my house and when I hear it running I know it's time to RELAX! :)

9. H is for HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER. I love it! I love to listen to it! I love to participate in it! When you hear it you just want to join in. It makes you feel good from the inside out!

10. H is for HONESTY. I believe it is critical. I try to be honest in every facet of my life. I hope that my life projects honesty at all times. I expect honesty from others as well. I try to teach my children the importance of honesty. I believe that even when we make mistakes if we are honest we can work through any problem.

Well, there are my 10 things. A few other "H"s that I won't elaborate on but later thought of were happiness, hats, and heaters! Sounds like we are all going to be really grateful for our heaters over the next few nights! :)

If anyone is intrigued and wants to give this a try leave me a comment and pick a letter! It's been fun!